Loudmouth Silverback going after knees (1 Viewer)

[mad sweeney]

From PFT:

.

Harrison said on Mike and Mike in the Morning that now instead of trying to hit players in the head, he’ll hit them in the knees.

“I’ve really lowered my target area to where it’s down around the knees,” Harrison said. “Situations come along where you could tackle the guy high. I don’t do that anymore. I tackle the guy low.”

James Harrison has finally said out loud what I've been predicting for awhile. With all the emphasis on head shots and the fact that even hits to the chest are getting flagged and fined as are hits made when the ball-catcher lowers their head at the last minute, he says he's going lower with his hits. Taking out someone's knees is not illegal and will not incur fines (until Goodell changes it again). However, lacking data, it seems to me to be at least ten times more likely to ruin someone's career. On the other hand, defenders are getting fined more and more and are starting to get suspended for HtH hits and it isn't fair that they should have their career/earnings limited (not to mention the in-game damage to their team) because the guys they're tackling duck their heads. They need to, IMO, dial back the rule so that all these hits that are chest hits aren't getting flagged and fined. I've also thought that protecting knees is sadly lacking. I remember a few years ago in a SF vs Sea game that a Seattle WR jumped up to make a catch and the CB dove, while the WR was still in the air, so that his shoulder pads hit the guy in the knee as soon as his foot touched the Earth. Boom, 2 torn knee ligaments and career over. That should be illegal, not nailing a WR smack in the chest. It's an important DB tactic, the big hit. Just this last weekend a Cowgirl (Bryant I think) got nailed hard in the chest in what should've been a legal play but got the 15yd BS flag. Next play or two Bryant alligator-armed a bubble screen because he saw that he was about to get hit. That's what hard hitting DBs are supposed to do to the other team - intimidate. It's a game of inches and when you scare the other player into not going that extra inch, then you've done your job and helped your team.

I don't know how smart it is to announce it like he does, but I agree 100% with him and am surprised it's taken this long for someone to say it. I did figure he'd have a 4-1 chance of being the guy that does say it though. Based on his rep, I expect it to be trouble for him and I expect Goodell to just expand the defenseless receiver rule to include below the waist and the DBs will just have to sit back and wait for the receiver to catch the ball before they can make a play. Stupidest rule in the modern age. Even worse than PI or roughing the passer.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Classy guy. Probably makes his franchise and fans proud.

 

[BigJim®]

So the basic gist is "if I can't injure him here, I'll injure him there", and the thigh to shoulder part of the body doesn't work for tackling?

 

[butcher boy]

Hope Pittsburgh keeps him. I never want this guy on my team. Same with Ndamadong.

 

[cracKer]

I agree that it's getting out of hand, but I think a lot of the issues come from lack of fundamentals. Form tackling and passes defended do not make Sportscenter highlights, similar to the dunk in basketball. The players are flying around like missiles, not always concerned about where they land...intimidation

 

[mad sweeney]

So the basic gist is "if I can't injure him here, I'll injure him there", and the thigh to shoulder part of the body doesn't work for tackling?

No, the gist is that non-HtH hits are getting flagged and fined so I'll lower the hit zone so he can't duck his head and cost me 15 yards and a $50K fine.Well, maybe for him he's into injuring, but most defenders aren't like him and the above quote applies.

 

[Banemorth]

So the basic gist is "if I can't injure him here, I'll injure him there", and the thigh to shoulder part of the body doesn't work for tackling?

No, the gist is that non-HtH hits are getting flagged and fined so I'll lower the hit zone so he can't duck his head and cost me 15 yards and a $50K fine.Well, maybe for him he's into injuring, but most defenders aren't like him and the above quote applies.

This.I see so many defenders getting flagged when they go in for a LEGAL tackle and the receiver lowers his head and then it's a fine. It makes hitting anywhere above the ribcage tough.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Classy guy. Probably makes his franchise and fans proud.

I think what he's doing is fine and actually kind of smart. On the other hand, opening his big mouth and broadcasting it is dumb. Just puts more scrutiny on himself that isn't needed at tihs point. His mouth has a tendency to get himself in trouble at times.......

 

[menobrown]

Classy guy. Probably makes his franchise and fans proud.

I think what he's doing is fine and actually kind of smart. On the other hand, opening his big mouth and broadcasting it is dumb. Just puts more scrutiny on himself that isn't needed at tihs point. His mouth has a tendency to get himself in trouble at times.......

What did he say that was dumb? He's really just stating an obvious fact people have been saying for the past few years that forcing players to hit low can lead to more injuries.

 

[mr roboto]

When you introduce penalties for certain types of decisions, rational actors will alter their decisions. Sometimes these new decisions are also undesirable, but the new decisions are rational responses to new constraints.

It's like airlines complaining about everyone bringing 2 bags for carry on. It's because they charge for checked bags.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

They should color code all jerseys with green tape between the armpit and thigh. Green means go!

 

[FF Wiseguy]

Classy guy. Probably makes his franchise and fans proud.

I think what he's doing is fine and actually kind of smart. On the other hand, opening his big mouth and broadcasting it is dumb. Just puts more scrutiny on himself that isn't needed at tihs point. His mouth has a tendency to get himself in trouble at times.......

What did he say that was dumb? He's really just stating an obvious fact people have been saying for the past few years that forcing players to hit low can lead to more injuries.

This is right on. In the article, he cites a hit that he put on Eric Decker's legs that caused him to strain his MCL, saying how the rule is now affecting someone else's ability to play and make their living.I rarely agree with Harrison's rants, but I think this one serves a good purpose. He is pointing out how a well intentioned but poorly implemented rule that is meant to increase player safety could actually make things more dangerous for skill players' long term health.

 

[B-Deep]

Players playing would rather take head shots than knee shots. But no one is suing the league because they have trouble walking, they are suing because people are dying from head issues.

It is short sighted for the players, and short sighted for the league.

Regardless of what the league wants or what the players want it HAS to protect itself by cracking down on head shots, there is simply not a choice.

If the players are pissed about it they should ##### to the retired players that are suing. I'd love to hear Harrison tell the Seau family or the Duerson or the Webster family how an ACL is a life threatening injury.

 

[Sabertooth]

Total knucklehead.

 

[mad sweeney]

Players playing would rather take head shots than knee shots. But no one is suing the league because they have trouble walking, they are suing because people are dying from head issues.It is short sighted for the players, and short sighted for the league.Regardless of what the league wants or what the players want it HAS to protect itself by cracking down on head shots, there is simply not a choice.If the players are pissed about it they should ##### to the retired players that are suing. I'd love to hear Harrison tell the Seau family or the Duerson or the Webster family how an ACL is a life threatening injury.

I don't think anyone is arguing that cracking down on headshots is the problem. The problem comes when a lot of legal hits that don't target the head are being flagged and fined. And more shots that are legal up until the last millisecond when the ball carrier ducks their head and it becomes a financial liability to the defender as well as hurting the team. If the league truly wants to it down on that, it can't just target the defenders. Ball carriers who put themselves into position to get their heads hit need to be held accountable as well. Ball carriers are free to not catch the ball, to slide earlier, to protect themselves. The defense shouldn't be financially obligated to allow the offense to work unfettered. Also, there was a Real Sports about retired players last year and the most chilling interview was with a guy who'd had multiple knee surgeries and could barely get around and was in heavy pain meds. He said when he couldn't walk anymore he was gonna check out.

 

[dickey moe]

Harrison is classless, but "silverback?" As in old gorilla? Really?

 

[mad sweeney]

Harrison is classless, but "silverback?" As in old gorilla? Really?

I thought that was his self given nickname. I think it's for dominant, not old.Eta: confirmed - google it, that's his nickname.

 

[Assani Fisher]

They need to, IMO, dial back the rule so that all these hits that are chest hits aren't getting flagged and fined.

The problem is that this is incredibly difficult for refs to tell in real time. I know that fans hate stoppages to review plays, but it seems as if they've implemented ways to do it more much quickly this year(on scoring plays the replay officials will really quickly check to make sure if there needs to be a review, and if there is then they will signal the ref to stop the game for an official review)- I think all of these "hit to a defenseless receiver" penalties should have these quick reviews done to them.

 

[mad sweeney]

They need to, IMO, dial back the rule so that all these hits that are chest hits aren't getting flagged and fined.

The problem is that this is incredibly difficult for refs to tell in real time. I know that fans hate stoppages to review plays, but it seems as if they've implemented ways to do it more much quickly this year(on scoring plays the replay officials will really quickly check to make sure if there needs to be a review, and if there is then they will signal the ref to stop the game for an official review)- I think all of these "hit to a defenseless receiver" penalties should have these quick reviews done to them.

I would rather they do that with PI instead. If they reviewed hits like we're talking about it'll just be more flags for every hit. The rules need adjusting (like if the hit originates below the head, it shouldn't be flagged) and so does the fine process. The way they're doing it now just plain sucks.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Are you suggesting a guy who couldn't get off the practice squad in his 20's but in his 30's became the one of the top three most fearsome pass rushers in the league is a cheater? No way?

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Classy guy. Probably makes his franchise and fans proud.

I think what he's doing is fine and actually kind of smart. On the other hand, opening his big mouth and broadcasting it is dumb. Just puts more scrutiny on himself that isn't needed at tihs point. His mouth has a tendency to get himself in trouble at times.......

What did he say that was dumb? He's really just stating an obvious fact people have been saying for the past few years that forcing players to hit low can lead to more injuries.

This is right on. In the article, he cites a hit that he put on Eric Decker's legs that caused him to strain his MCL, saying how the rule is now affecting someone else's ability to play and make their living.I rarely agree with Harrison's rants, but I think this one serves a good purpose. He is pointing out how a well intentioned but poorly implemented rule that is meant to increase player safety could actually make things more dangerous for skill players' long term health.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I agree that it's getting out of hand, but I think a lot of the issues come from lack of fundamentals. Form tackling and passes defended do not make Sportscenter highlights, similar to the dunk in basketball. The players are flying around like missiles, not always concerned about where they land...intimidation

The biggest problem in the NFL is rampant HGH abuse. The shoe hasn't dropped yet but it's coming. If they find a way to get these guys back to normal human size the speeds and sizes will slow down and make the game safer.

 

[Warrior]

The NFL could care less about a player's health. All they care about is lawsuits, and concussions may lead to plenty of those. Major knee injuries can ruin lives, but messing with someone's memory and brain activity could cost the NFL money so they choose to only cover their own butts.

 

[Warrior]

I agree that it's getting out of hand, but I think a lot of the issues come from lack of fundamentals. Form tackling and passes defended do not make Sportscenter highlights, similar to the dunk in basketball. The players are flying around like missiles, not always concerned about where they land...intimidation

The biggest problem in the NFL is rampant HGH abuse. The shoe hasn't dropped yet but it's coming. If they find a way to get these guys back to normal human size the speeds and sizes will slow down and make the game safer.

The NFL has game-day testing and has given out plenty of suspensions for banned substances.HGH is not the problem. This isn't the 1990's.

 

[Nucker101]

He's obviously not the classiest guy, but he has a good point. Safeties especially are suffering from these new rules which is why teams love to sling the ball and air it out as much as they can these days, and most WR's are not afraid of going down the middle of the defense since they won't get their heads blown up anymore. As a defender, the next best thing to strike fear into a receiver or tight end is to try to take out their knees. It might be dirty, but these guys won't have jobs if they get lit up by opposing receivers.

 

[msommer]

There are smarter ways to get the message across.

 

[Patoons]

So the basic gist is "if I can't injure him here, I'll injure him there", and the thigh to shoulder part of the body doesn't work for tackling?

No, the gist is that non-HtH hits are getting flagged and fined so I'll lower the hit zone so he can't duck his head and cost me 15 yards and a $50K fine.Well, maybe for him he's into injuring, but most defenders aren't like him and the above quote applies.

The quote is taken out of context a bit.I was listening to this on the commute in yesterday. He did say it, obviously, but then went on to say that the head rule is meant for player safety, but he argued that an injury to the knees is just as bad, if not worse, in terms of ending a players career and their livliehood (which he equated to life threatening).The way the quote is taken makes it sound like he was saying, if I can't get the head... I'll cripple them down low. That wasn't the tone/feeling he conveyed in the conversation.

 

[qimqam]

So the basic gist is "if I can't injure him here, I'll injure him there", and the thigh to shoulder part of the body doesn't work for tackling?

So it's ok to injure a player from the thighs to the shoulders? Quarterbacks make a living with their shoulders and Ryan Matthews might be the best RB in the NFL if people would stop targeting his shoulders.

Bo Jackson had potential to be the greatest RB ever until his career was cut short by a hip injury.

Witten and Chris Simms had their spleens lacerated and could have died.

Big Ben almost lost his life when a broken rib almost punctured his aorta .. but its ok to target the Ribs you psycho!!?!?!?!

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

Even tho I don't think it will prevent much other than bruising/swelling the NFL is acknowledging the issue by forcing all players to start wearing knee and thigh pads again starting next year. Be nice if they also started penalizing for unbuckled chinstraps/mouth piece hanging out like in HS

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I agree that it's getting out of hand, but I think a lot of the issues come from lack of fundamentals. Form tackling and passes defended do not make Sportscenter highlights, similar to the dunk in basketball. The players are flying around like missiles, not always concerned about where they land...intimidation

The biggest problem in the NFL is rampant HGH abuse. The shoe hasn't dropped yet but it's coming. If they find a way to get these guys back to normal human size the speeds and sizes will slow down and make the game safer.

The NFL has game-day testing and has given out plenty of suspensions for banned substances.HGH is not the problem. This isn't the 1990's.

They don't even test for HGH.If you've never failed a drug test they let you know well ahead of time when they are coming or if you've been tested you know they can't test you again for X amount of time. In other words, you have to be a moron to fail your first test.

 

[menobrown]

There are smarter ways to get the message across.

Hey, at least he's drives the right car?http://sportscracklepop.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/harrison2.jpg

 

[Nugget]

What is a "Loudmouth Silverback"?

 

[Abspara]

What is a "Loudmouth Silverback"?

James Harrison

 

[Franknbeans]

There are smarter ways to get the message across.

no one has ever accused him of being smart

 

[mad sweeney]

What is a "Loudmouth Silverback"?

What do you think it means?

 

[QuizGuy66]

Funny how Miller was upset about it when the Bengals went for the knees (earlier in the game before the injury to, well, his knee).

-QG

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Noticed that too...and Nelson lined that shot up too...wish more teams would play Pittsburgh the same way...teammates might eventually tell Harrison to zip it and play a clean game...same for Suh

 

[jurb26]

Defenders moving their target area to bellow the waist and bellow seems like a logical adaptation to the current rules and enforcement. Perhaps Harrison has intent to injury, I'm not sure. Regardless of that I'd say it's clear that he and every other defender has intent to not take senseless 15 yd penalties and incure massive fines.

I really don't see what people are getting bent out of shape about. This is the way things are. For every action (fines for HtH/high hits) there is a reaction (defenders looking to avoid such fines by lower their target area).

 

[SWC]

it would cool if a guy was standing next to a metal sign post that was about 12 inches around and painted like a leg and then this jackalope came and tried to tackle it and he became mentally afraid to ever tackle another guy because he was worrired that they were a metal pole actually and then he had to quit football and go to some far off land where no one liked him bam right there brohans